Calculating machine



Dec. 1, 1936. c. SCHRODER CALCULATING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 30, 1932 Dec. 1, 1936. Q SCHRODER 2,062,731

CALCULATING MACHINE Filed March 30, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 39/, flaw.

Dec. 1, 1936. c. SCHRODER CALCULATING MACHINE Filed March 30, 1952 3 Sheets- Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 1, 1936 PATENT OFFICE CALCULATING MACHINE Charles Schroder, Hartford, Conn., assignor Allen-Wales Adding Machine Corporation,

New York, N. Y., a corporation Application March 30, 1932, Serial No. 601,965

22 Claims. (Cl. 235-130) This invention relates to calculating machines, and particularly to improved means for preventing accidental errors in the operation of such a machine.

In the operation of a calculating machine, some careless operaters occasionally rest their hands or objects upon a key board, frequently causing a partial depression of some of the keys. If this lsdonewhile running in a number,causing a spacmg stroke, or taking a total or sub-total, this partial depression of the keys may cause an error in the operations performed, without the knowledge of the operator. It is extremely important that the possibility of errors be prevented as fully as possible in, such calculating machines. It is also desirable to prevent release of any intentionally depressed key before an operation of the running in mechanism is completed.

An object of the invention is to provide an im- 30 proved calculating machine, in which the running in of a number is automatically prevented if any key is only partially depressed; which is easily applied to a machine of the type having a removable key board; which requires a minimum of 25 parts; and which will be exceptionally simple,

practical, dependable and inexpensive.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment of theinvention, and the novel feaso tures will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in the accompanying claims.

v In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevation of an add- I ing machine constructed in accordance with this 35 invention, and from which has been omitted I parts common in the art and not directly cooperating with the novel features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional elevation of the back end of the key board;

40 Fig. 3 is also a longitudinal, sectional elevation of a part of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the removable key board, with parts of the locking mechanism, frame and fulllstroke sector in section, and all parts 45 in the normal positions occupied when no number is being run in;

Fig. 5 is a similar rear elevation of parts of the key board with the parts shown in the relative positions occupiedv while the. handle and full 50 stroke sector have been turned forwardly for the maximum stroke, or the corresponding parts of an electrically operated machine have been operatedto the same extent;

Fig. 6 is an elevation similar to Fig. 5, but with 55 the parts in relative positions occupied when a key is only partially depressed, and the full stroke sector is locked against a full forward stroke;

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective of sufllcient parts of the machine to illustrate the nature of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of some of the mechanism for running in a number set up in the key board; and

Fig. 9 is a front end elevation of part. of the machine to illustrate the control of the stop bars 10 by the shutter bars.

In the illustrated embodim nt of the invention, the improved calculating m chine is an adding and subtracting machine, and includes a frame Iilhaving a base M, and a removable key board 15 12. The key board i2 is a complete unit having a frame with notches 82a (Figs. 2 and 4) in the side plates l3 at the rear end, which engage and fit over studs 14 at opposite sides of the frame 10. The forward end of the key board is-provided with depending legs I5 having slots 16 which straddle studs (not shown) supported on a suitable part of the frame 10. Suitable latching means (not shown) engages the-front part of the key board to hold it releasably in proper position on the machine. It is not material to the present invention, whether the keyboard is removable or fixed, but such removable key boards are well known in the art.

The key board includes a plurality of depressible keys ll which determine the numbers to be run in, that is, to be set up in the totalizer A (Fig. 8), as usual in adding machines of this type. Adding machines of this type are shown in the U. s. patents to Peters 1,386,021 and 1,386,022, issued August 2, 1921, and to White 1,571,567, issued February 2, 1926. Reference to these patents may be had for a more complete disclosure ofthose details of the adding machine which have been omitted from the drawings in 40 order to simplify the disclosure of the novel features of this invention. The keys I! are arraxmed in rows of units, tenths, hundredths, etc., and each key is guided in the top and bottom plates l8 and [9 of the 'the section which passes through the top plate ll of the key board frame. A bar or rod 12 passes through the slots 21 of the-keys of each row, and

by engagement with the ends of the slots limits '55 ments of the keys.

the range of endwise movement of each key. One side of each key is provided with notches 23 and 24, by which the key may be latched in either depressed or undepressed position.

Latching shutters or bars (Figs. 4 to 6) are hinged upon pins or rods 26 that extend from front to rear of the key board'at one side of each row of keys, that is, the rows of units, tenths, hundredths, etc. and these shutters or bars engage alternately in the notches 23 and 24 in the side edges of the keys of the related rows. When the keys are in their uppermost positions, the shutters or latch bars 25 will engage into the lowernotches 24, and these particular notches 24 in each key are in reality clearance notches, since the bars 22 actually limit the upwardly move- When any key is pushed downwardly, as shown by the right hand key in Fig. 5, the shutter or latch bar 25 for that row of keys is cammed ,out of the lower notch 24 and then drops into the upper notch 23 of the depressed key so as to latch that key in its de- I pressed position. A

Since all of the keys of each row are engaged by the same common continuous bar or shutter 25, the depressing of any key will cam the bar 25 outwardly and release any other depressed key of that row, and if the notch 24 were not provided to receive the bar 25 when the keys were in their upper positions, the latch bar would not be able tomove into the notch 23 of any depressed key of that row. The opposite edges of the keys are also provided with notches 21 for receiving a zero stop shutter or bar 23 which is also hinged by means of the rods 26.

Whenever a key in any row is depressed, the notch 21 in that key will cam the related stop shutter 23 for that row of keys to one side, and since a stop arm 23a (Fig. 9) is provided at the forward end of the key board on each shutter 23 to limit the movements of the stop bars B (Fig. 8), the depression of any key will remove the stop 23a for that row of keys and enable movement of the related stop bar until its movement is stopped by the depressed key. This arrangement of keys and shutters 25 and 23 is fully disclosed in said U. S. Patent 1,386,021.

One side of each key is also provided with a lug 29, and the lugs 29 of each row are in alinement with one another in the same row. A plurality of locking strips 30 are rockably supported on the lower plate IQ of the key board frame and one strip extends along each row of keys. Each locking strip has an angular flange 31 along its upper edge which moves toward and from the edges of the related row of keys as the locking strip is rocked on the lower plate l3. Each locking strip may have lugs 32 depending into apertures in the bottom plate Is, as shown in Fig. 7, in order to prevent displacement of the locking strip while allowing it to rock sidewise to some extent.

The flange 3| of each strip passes above or beneath the lugs 29 of its related row of keys when all the keys are undepressed or fully depressed, as shown in Fig. 5, but if a key is only partially depressed, as shown by the left hand key in Fig. 6, the flange 3| of the related locking strip 33 will engage against the free end of the lug of the partially depressed key which limits ,the rocking movement of that strip 33 in one direction. A

sliding bar 33 which acts as a locking bar is arranged transversely of the key board adjacent its rearward end, and is mounted to-slide laterally of the key board in the side plates |3 of the key board frame just above the locking strips 33. A resilient spring 35 (Figs. 4 and 7) is secured to the left hand side plate |3 of the key board frame, and urges the sliding bar 33 in a direction to project to a greater extent from the opposite or right hand side of the key board.

The bar 33 is provided at intervals along its lower edge with notches 33, and each locking strip 33 has a portion of its flange turned upwardly to form a tongue 31 received in a notch 36 of the sliding bar. with this arrangement, the locking strips 33 will all rock in unison with one another, and in accordance with the endwise movements of the locking bar 33. This locking bar 33, therefore, may be considered as a common element cooperating with all of the locking strips, and when this bar or common ele; ment 33 is released, it is shifted by the spring 33 in a direction to carry the flanges 3| of the locking strips 33 toward the sides of the keys.

If the keys are undepressed or fully depremed, the locking strips will clear the lugs 23, and the common element 33 may partake of the full movement endwise, as shown in Fig. 5, but if any key in any row is only partially depressed, as shown in Fig. 6, the engagement of the flange of the related locking strip against the end of the lug 23 of that partially depressed key will stop the endwise movement of the common element 33 before it has received its full movement under the action of thespring 35. This restriction of the endwise movement of the common element 33 by a partially depressed key is utilized to prevent the running in of any number until the keys are either fully depressed or undepressed. This running in operation is performed electrically or by manipulation of a handle or crank arm 33 which is fixed on the main operating shaft 33 that carries a full stroke sector 43. In the running in of a number,'the handle or crank 33 is pulled forwardly from the normal or return position, shown in full lines in Fig. 1, into a position shown approximately by the dash lines in Fig. l, and

' then returned to the normal position shown by the full lines.

The number set up on the key board by the selective depression of the keys is run into the totalizer 4 (Fig. 8) by any suitable mechanism such as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8 and disclosed in greater detail in the U. 8. Patents of Peters 1,386,021 and 1,386,022, hereinabove identified. In this type of device, the keys are depressed selectively into the paths of lugs or main shaft 33 as disclosed in said Peters patents 1,386,021 and 1,386,022.

The full stroke sector is provided with a stop block 4| mounted on one face thereof, and this stop block is provided with an abutment 42 which moves in a prescribed path during its movement with the section 43. An interlocking lever 43 is pivoted on the frame ll of the machine by a stud 44, and is provided with a nose 45 which is shiftable into and out ofthe path of movement of the abutment 42. A spring 43 is connected at one end to the interlocking lever 43 and its other end is anchored to the frame l3 u 33, which is pivoted on a stud 33 (Fig. 1) at the right hand side of the key board frame. This;

of .the machine, so as to urge the interlocking lever in'a direction to remove the nose 43 from the path of travel of the abutment 43.

The full stroke sector 43 also carries a cam roller 41 which engages with a depending tail 43 on the interlocking lever 43, and moves this interlocking lever against the action of the spring 43 in a direction to carry the nose 43 of the lever into obstructing position in the path of abut to rock the interlocking lever out of obstructing position. The abutment 42 is spaced far enough from the nose 45 when' the sector is in its normal position, shown in Fig. 1, so that the sector and operating handle 'may be moved forwardly far enough to release the interlocking lever before the abutment would strike the nose 45.

The interlocking lever is also provided with a tall 43 which extends above the projecting end of the common element or the slide bar 33 at the right hand side of the keyboard, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and '7. When the common element 33 is shifted against the action of spring into the position shown in Fig. 4, the tall 43 of the interlocking lever 43 is directly above an upstanding lug 33 on the projecting end of the common element 33, and if the bar 33 remains in this position while the handle 33 is pulled forwardly, the interlocking lever, when released by the cam roller 41, will be rocked by the spring 43 until the tail 49 engages the lug 50 on the common element 33, as shown 'in Fig. 6. The common element thus wouldlock or latch the interlocking element or lever against further movement, and at this time the nose 45 would still be in obstructing position in the path of the abutment 42. This prevents further forward movement of the operating. handle.

Hence, when the common element 33 is held in the position shown in Fig, 6 by the engagement of any locking strip with the end of a lug 23 of a partially depressed key, the interlocking lever 43 will be held in obstructing position by the lug 33. If the common element 33 is allowed to move to the maximum extent under the action of the spring 33, as shown in Fig. 5, which is possible when all the keys are either undepressed or fully depressed, thelug 33 will clear the tall 43 of the interlocking lever and allow movement of the latter out of obstructing position under the action of spring 43. l

The cam-roller 41 also engages and operates a bevelled end 31 of an automatic key release lever key release lever engages with a bevelled end 01'. cam surface 34 (Fig. 7) provided on that projecting end of-'the common element 33 which latches the interlocking lever' 43 in obstructing position as the full stroke sector approaches its normal position on the'return stroke. The cam roller 41 .not only engages and lifts the tall 43 of the inand the key release lever 32 counterclockwise in Figs. 1 and 7.

As the lever 33 rocks, it acts, by its engagement with the cam 34 on the common element or latch bar 33, to cam the bar 33 endwlse against the action of the spring 33 and carry all of the locking strips away from the keys where they will not interfere with depression or elevation of the keys. At the same time, this endwlse movement of the common element or latch bar 33 places the lug 30 in latching position beneath the tail 43 of the interlocking lever 43, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. The lever 33, when rocked by the cam roller 41 through a cam-like terminal 33 on the end thereof, engages with a stud 33 provided on an arm 31 of a key-release ball 33 and rocks the latter about its pivot 33. The ball 33 is provided with projections 33 (Fig. 1) which engage with the latching shutters or bars 23 as the ball is rocked, and cam them into key releasing positions, so as to release for elevation any of the keys which have been latched in depressed positions, as disclosed in U. S. Patent 1,386,021.

When-the interlocking lever is released by the cam roller .41 and shifted out of obstructing position by the spring 43, this rocking. movement is or by a stud or abutment 3| (Figs. 1 and 3), as

shown by the dash lines in Fig. 1. If while the key board is removed, the full stroke sector should be operated, the interlocking lever 43 would be rocked by the spring 43 beyond the reach of the cam roller 41 wereit not for the stop or abutment 31. This stop 3| holds the interlocking lever in such a position that the removable key board may be removed and easily replaced with the cam roller 41 and common element or looking bar 33 always in proper relation to the tails 43 and 43 of the interlocking lever.

In the operation of an adding machine constructed in accordance with this invention, any

number to be run into the totalizers is first set up in the key board by suitable selective depression of the keys in the different rows, and then the operating handle 33 is pulled forwardly to the extent permitted, which is shown in the dash lines in Fig. 1, and at which time the part of the full stroke sector carrying the cam roller 41 strikes the base it of the frame 13, or other stop provided for that purpose. The handle is then returned to the normal position shown by the full lines in Fig; 1. A similar operation of the handle is performed when spacing or taking a total or sub-total. 'At the beginning oi. the forward movement or stroke of the handle 33, the cam roller 41 immediately moves downwardly from the tall 43 of the interlocking lever and the key release lever 32, this movement being permitted by the space between the nose 43 of the interlocking lever and the abutment 43 on the full stroke sector.

At the very start of this movement of the handle 33, the clockwise movement of the automatic key release lever 33 releases the common element or lock bar 33 which is thereupon shifted endwlse by the spring 33, so as to'carry the lug 33 from beneath the tall 43 of the interlocking lever 43. During this same small initial movement of the full stroke sector and handle, and while the abutment 42 is approaching the nose 43 of the interlocking lever, the cam roller 41 has also released the interlocking lever so that the tail 43 descends toward the lug 33.

If the common element or latching bar 33 is allowed to move fully to the right with respect to the key board (see Fig. 5), the lug 33 will clear the tail 43 cf the interlocking lever and the spring ll will rock the interlocking lever out of obstructing position. The common element or latch bar 33 is free to move to the maximum extent as shown in Fig. 5, if all the keys are either undepressed or fully depressed, so that the flanges Ii of all the locking strips 30 will clear the lugs 28 of all the keys.

If, however, any key in any row is only partial- 1y depressed, as shown by 'the left key in Fig. 6, and by the key designated lid in Fig. 3, which might be caused, for example, by the operator resting his hand on the key board, the lug 2| of that partially depressed key will restrict movement of the common element or latch bar a, and the lug ill on bar ll will latch the interlocking lever in its obstructing position, a condition which is shown in Figs. 3 and 6. The abutment I! soon strikes the nose 5 of the interlocking lever which prevents further movement of the operating handle or full stroke sector before the actual start of the running in of the number set up on the key board. This effectively prevents the operation of the machine under conditions which might give a false result.

If the machine is electrically operated, as shown, for example, in the pending application of Nelson White, Ser. No. 720,602, filed June 17, 1924, the stopping of the full stroke sector or running mechanism at the start of the power stroke, causes an operation of the safety device with which such devices are provided.

When the key release lever 52, Fig. 1, is released by the cam roller 41 during this small initial movement of the full stroke sector, it is rocked by, a spring 62 in a clockwise direction sufliciently to release bar 33 and enable a full stroke of the handle 38. Normally the lever 52 will move far enough to carry the cam nose 55 past the stud 56 into the position shown by dash lines in Fig. 1. For this purpose, the nose It comprises a'smali lever pivotally mounted by a stud 83 on the lever 52, and yieldingly held against a stop stud or pin 64 of the lever 52 by a spring 65. As the nose 55 moves upwardly, 'it will cam itself idly by the stud 56, because the spring 85 stretches and permits the nose to rock upon its pivot stud 63. As soon as the nose or lever 55 passes the stud 56, the spring 65 restores it to the normal position in which its tail abuts the pin 64. The repeat key 52a (Fig. 1) is pivoted on stud 52b and when operated from the full line. non-repeat position shown in Fig. l

to prevent release of the depressed keys, it carries repeat and repeat positions. A similar repeat key is shown in Peters U. 8. Patent 1,386,021.

When the full stroke sector is approximately completing its return stroke, that is, as it moves into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the cam roller I] will forcibly rock the key release lever 52 in a counterclockwise direction, during which the nose 55 engages and rocks the stud 56, and through it the arm 51 of the ball 58, in a manner to release all the keys for elevation into their normal position. The nose 55 in rocking arm 51 passes entirely past the stud I6, and the bail "is then returned automatically to its normal position, as shown in Fig. i. The normal podtion of the full stroke sector may be determined by any suitable stop, such as by the engagement of a section 88 thereof (Fig. 1) with the base II of the frame III of the machine.

, It will thus be seen that the handle 30 and full stroke sector which must be operated to run in a number, cause a spacing operation, or to take a total or sub-total, can be given only a small initial or idle movement, unless all of the keys are either undepressed or fully depressed, so that there will be no error in the number run in at any operation. If any key is improperly latched in its "down" position, the flange II will engage over the lug and effectively lock the key in "down position, thereby preventing release of that key before the running in operation is completed. This is an additional safety factor.

By the expression adding machine", I intend to refer to machines which add or subtract, or both. While I have referred to operation of the handle ll manually, it will be understood that I contemplate operation of the main shaft 80 either manually or electrically. It will be also understood that the invention is equally applicable to othertypes of calculating machines as well as to adding and subtracting machines.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, which have been herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim as follows:

1. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the numbers to be run in, releasable latching means for said keys. a main operating member which is operable whenever a number set up on the key board is to be run in, a spacing operation performed, or a total-or sub-total taken, said member having an abutment movable in a prescribed path therewith, an interlocking element shiftable by said member, as said member approximately completes its return movement, intothe path of said abutment, latching mech-, anism for holding said interlocking element normally in the path of said abutment, and means controlled by said keyboard, but held free of said keys by said member while said member is in its normal inactive position at the end of a return movement, and operable during an initial forward increment of movement of said member for operating said latching mechanism to release said interlocking element if all of the keys are fully depressed or undepressedand ineffective in removing said element if any key is only partially depressed, whereby said member may not ,be given a full movement when any key is only partially depressed.

2. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the numbers to be run in, a main operating member which is operable whenever a number set up on the key board is to be run in, a spacing operation performed, or a total or sub-total taken, said member having an abutment movable therewith in a prescribed path, an interlocking element having a nose normally disposed in the path of movement of said abutment, and restricting movement of said member to a small initial movement, means yieldingly urging said interlocking element in a direction to remove said nose I fromsaid path, said member, when closely approaching the end of its return movement, shifting said element into obstructing position with said abutment, a latch operable into a position 'in which it holds the interlocking element in obstructing position when said member has approximately reached its normal position at the end of a return movement, and releasing it at the start of a running in movement of said member, and means controlled by the key board for preventing movement of said latch in a direction to release said interlocking element, if any key is only partially depressed.

3. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys'todetermine the numbers to be run in, a main operating member which is operable whenever a number set up on the key board is to be run in, a spacing operation performed, or a total or sub-total taken, each of said keys having a lug, a locking strip shiftable against those edges of the keys having the lugs and clearing said lugs when said keys are undepressed or fully depressed, and abutting against the end of the lug of any key which is only partially depressed, means controlled by said member for holding said strip free of said lugs and keys while said member is in normal inactive position and for releasing it at the start of any running in movement of said member, and means controlled by said locking strip for preventing operation of said member beyond a small initial movement when any key is only partially depressed, so that the locking strip engaged therewith engages against the end of the lug on the partially depressed key.

4. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the numbers to be run in, a main operating member; which is operable whenever a number set up on the key board is to be run in, a spacing operation performed, or a total or sub-t'otai taken, a locking strip yieldingly urged against each key, each key having a lug extending laterally therefrom, said strip engaging against the end of the lug of any key which is only partially depressed and clearing said lug when the key is undepressed or fully depressed, means operable when said member is in normal position for holding said locking strip away from said keys to permit depression of any key, and means controlled by said locking strip for preventing operation of said member beyond a limited initial extent necessary to release said holding means when any key is only partially depressed, so that the locking strip engages against the lug of the locking key, and releasing said member for full operation when all keys'are either fully depressed or not depressed.

5. In a calculating machine, a keyboard having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the numbers to be run in, a main operating member which is operable whenever ,a number set up on the key board is to be run in, each key having a lug extending laterally therefrom, locking strips yieldingly urged against those sides of the keys having the laterally projecting lugs so-as to engage with the endof the lug of any key which is onlypartially depressed and passing on opposite sides of the lug of each key when the key is un-- depressed or fully depressed, means releasably latching any key which is fully depressed, a common element operable by all of said locking strips,

whereby said common element may be shifted only when all of said locking strips are free to means operable by said member'when said mem ber approximately reaches its normal return position forshifting said common element in a direction to carry said locking strips away from all of the keys and permit depression or elevation of any key, and means controlled by said common element and obstructing movement of said member in a forward direction from normal position beyond an initial extent necessary to release said common element, when said common element is held against said movement by the engagement of any locking strip with the end of the lug on any partially depressed key.

6. In a calculating machine, a key board having'a plurality of depressible keys to determine the numbers to be run in, a main operating member which is operable whenever a number set .up on the key board is to be run in, each key having a lug extending laterally therefrom, locking strips yieldingly urged against those sides of the keys having the laterally projecting lugs so as to engage with the end of the lug of any key which is only partially depressed and passing on opposite'sides of the lug of each key when the key is undepressed or'fully depressed, means releasably latching any key which is fully depressed, a

direction to carry said locking strips away from all of the keys and permit depression or elevation of any key, and an interlocking element shiftable into and out of a position to prevent operation of said member beyond an initial movement necessary to release said common element, said interlocking element being shiftable automatically into an obstructing position concurrently with the operation of said common element in a irection to carry the locking strips away from the keys, and being held in obstructing position by said common element so long as the common element is held by the engagement of a strip with the end of the lug on any partially depressed key.

'7. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the numbers to be run in, a main operating member which is operable whenever a number set up on the key board is to be. run in, each key having a lug extending laterally therefrom, locking strips yieldingly urged against those sides of the keys having the lugs and engageable with the end of the, lug of any key which is only partially de-- pressed, and clearing said lug when the key carrylease or depression of any key, and engagement of'any strip with the end of the lug of any key will prevent return movement of said common element, means whereby said member will force said common element in a direction to release all keys when said member approximately reaches its normal position on a return stroke, and an interlocking element also shiftable by said member, approximately concurrently with the shifting oi the common element, into a position to prevent a forward stroke of said member beyond a small initial movement necessary to enable movement of said common element in a direction to urge the locking strips against the keys, said common ele- ,ment holding said interlocking element in obstructing position while it holds said locking strips free of the keys, and releasing said interlocking element from obstructing position when it moves as far as permitted by the clearance of all lugs by the-locking strips, whereby said interlocking element will be held in obstructing position by said common element whenever said common element, following its release by a small initial movement of said member, is held against full movement by the engagement of a locking strip with the lug of any partially depressed key.

8. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the numbers to be run in, a main operating handle member which is operated whenever a number set up onthe key board is to be run in, a spacing operation performed, or a total or sub-total taken, an interlocking element shiftable into and out of a position in which it obstructs forward operative movement of said member beyond a small initial mo ement, said member having means for shifting said interlocking element positively into obstructing position at approximately the completion of-the return movement of said element, and means for latching releasably said interlocking element in an obstructing position effective before key depression and controlled by said key board, whereby said latching means will be held in latching position if any key is only partially depressed.

9. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the number to be run in, a main operating member which is operable whenever a number setup on the key board is to be run in and including a full stroke sector, said sector having a stop block movable therewith, an interlocking lever having a nose shiftable, by rocking of said lever, into and out of the path of said abutment whereby said sector may move only through a small initial increment while said lever is in obstructing position, said sector having a part operable upon said lever to shift it into obstructing position when said sector approximately reaches its normal return position after a stroke, means yieldingly urging said lever out of obstructing position, an element associated with said key board and shiftable laterally thereof into and out of a position in which it latches said lever in obstructing position, means controlled by the keys of said key board for preventing movement of said key board element out of latching position if any key is only partially depressed, and means operable with said full stroke sector for shifting said key board element into latching position approximately concurrently with the shifting of said lever into obstructing position.

10. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the number to be run in, a main operating member which is operable whenever a number set up onthekeyboardistoberunin andincluding a full stroke sector, said sector having a stop block movable therewith, an interlocking lever having a nose shiftable, by rocking of said lever, into and out of the path of said abutment whereby said sector may move only through a small initial increment while said lever is in obstructing position, said sector having a part operable upon said lever to shift it into obstructing position when said sector approximately reaches its normal return position after a stroke, means yieldingly urging said lever out of obstructing position, an element associated with said key board and shiftable laterally thereof into and out of a position in which it latches said lever in obstructing position, means controlled by the keys of said key board for preventing movement of said key board element out of latching position if any key is only partially depressed, means for locking any fully depressed keys releasably in depressed position, and means operable concurrently .with said full stroke sector for releasing any depressed and locked keys at approximately the end of the return stroke of'said' sector, and concurrently shifting said key board element into latching position after said lever has been shifted into obstructing position.

11. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys, an operating member for running in a number determined by the depressed keys and including a full stroke sector, the keys of said key board being arranged in rows including units, tens, hundreds, each key having a lug extending therefrom, a locking strip extending along each row of keys and having a section engageable with the free ends of the lugs of any keys which are partially depressed and clearing those lugs while the keys are undepressed or are fully depressed, a slide bar reciprocating transversely of the key board and crosswise of said locking strips, and connected to all of said locking strips, so that if any key is only partially depressed, its related locking trip by engagement with the end of the lug of hat key will limit concurrently with said full stroke sector when said sector closely approaches the end of its return stroke, said key releasing means alsoengaging with and shifting said slide bar against the action of said spring to carry said locking strips away from said keys, an interlocking element shiftable into and out of a position of which it obstructs movement of the full stroke sector beyond a small initial movement necessary to release said key release means and through the latter to release said slide bar, means operable concurrently with said full stroke sector for shifting said interlocking element into obstructing position Just prior to the movement of said slide bar under the action of said key release means, said interlocking element and said slide bar having cooperating parts which lock said element in obstructing position when said slide bar is in. a position in which it holds said ,locking strips away from said keys, and which releases saide'lement when said slide bar moves under the action of said spring following its release by said key release mechanism, whereby if any key is only partially depressed, said full stroke sector will be locked against movement beyond a small initial movement, and if all the keys are either undepressed or fully depressed, said full stroke sector will be unobstructed in its movement.

12. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the numbers to be run in, a main operating member which is operable whenever a number set up on the key board is to be run in, each key having a lug extending laterally therefrom, locking strips yieldingly urged against those sides of the keys having the lugs and engageable with the end of 5 the lug of any key which is only partially depressed, and clearing said lug when the key carrying that lug is undepressed or fully depressed,

means releasably latching any key which is fully depressed, a common element operable concurrently with all of, said'locking strips, whereby movement of said common element in one-direction will shift all of said locking strips out of engagement with said keys, so as to enable the release or depression of any key, and engagement of any strip with the end of the lug of any key will prevent returnmovement of said common element, and means controlled jointly by said member and said common element for locking said member against movement beyond a small initial movement whenever said common element is held against full movement by engagement of any locking strip with the end of a lug on any partially depressed key.

13. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys todetermine the numbers to be run in, releasable latching means for holding depressed'keys in depressed positions, a main operating member which is operable whenever a number set up on the key board is to be run in, and locking means separate from said latching means and free oi. said keys while said member is in normal inactive position, but controlled jointly by said member and said keys for preventing operation of said member beyond a small initial movement whenever any key is only partially depressed.

14. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the numbers to be-run in, means for running in numbers set up on said keyboard, and including a main operating member, movable control means cooperating with said keys but idle during movements oi said keys into and out of set up positions, and held in one position against full movement in one direction by any partially depressed key and released for full movement in said one direction when all keys are in either tully depressed or returned positions, and means controlled jointly by said member and said con trol means for obstructing operation of said member beyond a small initial movement when any key is only partially depressed, and releasing said member for full operation whenever all of said keys are in fully depressed or undepressed positions.

15. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys to determine the numbers to be run in, means for running in numbers set up on said keyboard and including 'a main operating member, control means cooperating with said keys but free from engagement with said keys while'said running in means is inactive, and held in one position against. full movement in one direction by any partially depressed key and released for full movement in 'said one direction when all keys are in either fully depressed or returned positions, means controlled by said member for holding said control means in said one position and releasing it at the beginning of a running in movement of said main operating member, and means controlled the numbers to be run in, means for running in numbers set up on said keyboard, and including a main operating member, an element shiitable into and out of a position in which it obstructs a running in movement of said member beyond a small initial portion of said movement, means operated by said member at the end part of a return movement for setting and holding said element in said obstructing position, and means controlled by said keys, but free from engage ment therewith while said running in means is idle, for releasing said element for movement out ofobstructing position during'said initial portion of said movement ii! all keys are in fully depressed or undepressed positions, and preventing such release it any key is in only partially depressed position.

17. In a calculating machine, a plurality of depressible keys, means controlled by the depressed keys for running in any number represented by the depressed keys and including'an operating member, a locking device normally preventing operation of said operating.member beyond an initial small increment of movement, means controlled by the keys and operable during said increment of movement for removing said locking device from obstructing position if no key is then in partially depressed position, and means operated by said member for holding said locking device removal means free of said keys while said member is in normal inactive position.

18. In a calculating machine, aplurality of depressible keys, means controlled .by the depressed keys for running in any number represented by'the depressed keys and including an operating member, means inactive during the setting of said keys but operable during the initial movement of said running in means for sensing the positions of the keys, and preventing operation oi. said means if any key is partially and incompletely depressed, but releasing said means for full operation whenever no keys are partially and incompletely depressed.

19. In a calculating machine, a plurality of depressible keys, means controlled by the depressed keys for running in any number represented by the depressed keys and including an operating member, a locking device operable into and out of a position in which it prevents operation of said means beyond an initial partial movement, and operable automatically into operation preventing position by said means at the end of a running in movement, and means inactive during the setting of said keys but operable automatically during the initial portion 01' a running in operation of said first means for sensing-the positions of the keys and preventing movement of said locking device out -of said movement preventing position whenever any key is in a partially and incompletely depressed position.

20. In a calculating machine, a plurality of depressible keys, means controlled by the depressed keys tor running in any number represented by the depressed keys and including an operating member, means associated with said keys and idle during the setting of said keys but operable automatically during an initial increment oi movement oi said running in means for sensing the positions of the keys and preventing operation of said means whenever any key is partially and incompletely depressed.

21. In a calculating machine, a plurality of depressible keys, means controlled by the depressed keys for running in any number represented by the depressed keys and including an operating member, a locking device normally preventing operation 01 said operating member beyond an initial small increment of movement, and means controlledby the keys but idle while said first means is inactive, and operable automatically during an initial increment oi movement of said first means, for preventing removal 0! said locking device from operation preventing position, whenever any key is partially and incompletely depressed.

22. In a calculating machine, a key board having a plurality of depressible keys, an operating member for running in a selected number, dependent upon the depressed keys, a stop for preventing operation of said member beyond an initial small increment of operation, and means inactive while said operating member is idle, but controlled Jointly by said member and said keys ior incapacitating said stop and permitting full operation of said member when said keys are undepressed or fully depressed, whereby it any keys are only partially depressed, said stop will remain in an effective position.

CHARLES SCHRODER. 

